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Harper

Boy / Girl name · 1,970 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Harper: 1,970 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 203 births in 2017.

Harper is an English occupational surname turned first name, rooted in Old English *hearpere*, meaning “one who plays the harp.” Originally a medieval trade name, it gained modern popularity as a unisex given name, especially for girls following the success of author Harper Lee, whose Pulitzer Prize-winning novel *To Kill a Mockingbird* left an indelible mark on literature. Harper Lee’s name in turn inspired the naming of Harper Lee County in Alabama, though no major place shares the exact root. A further note: the name’s gentle musical heritage has long made it a favourite among creative families in Scotland, where it also appears as a surname from the Gaelic *clàrsair*. Today, Harper consistently ranks among the top names for girls north of the border.